HIV Prevention & Needle Exchange Programs

In the face of AmericaÆs long held belief that prohibition is the only way to combat drug use in this country, there is an additional fear that is involved in being a ôjunkie.ö This fear being the contraction of the HIV virus. This deadly, dreaded virus has long accompanied the use of heroin and other drugs that are traditionally administered through intravenous drug use. More and more intravenous drug users are falling prey to this epidemic, ôIntravenous drug users now account for about half of all new cases of HIV infection; their partners and children add another 20%. Since most states restrict syringe sales, creating an artificial scarcity, users of heroin or liquid cocaine share, rent, or pick up discarded equipment from the street. In a æshooting gallery,Æ dozens of users may contract HIV in a single day. This gives new meaning to the word æepidemicÆ,ö (Give, 1996, p. 26).

Needle exchange programs have been suggested by many as an important strategy in reducing the transmission of HIV in intravenous drug users. Such programs are designed to provide sterile injection equipment to intravenous drug users. Under such programs used needles are returned for new ones, and the supply of free and legal sterile needles is constant. Not only does this combat against the spread of HIV but it also allows program staffers contact with drug users. Contact with drug users on a regular basis will help establish trus

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aintains there were 178 such programs in operation in the U.S. in 2002, but a national survey reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report claims the number is now 148 (Strathdee, 2004, p. 276; Arias, 2005, p. 41). Federal funding for these programs amounts to a fraction of social welfare spending at $7.3 million (Arias, 2005). This amount is insignificant to combat a potential public health disaster from sharing infected needles, something Strathdee (2004, p. 376) argues is responsible ôfor as many as half of new cases of HIV occurring on an annual basis.ö Those who oppose needle exchange programs typically oppose them for one of two reasons. The first reason is that many people believe that permitting addicts to have needles sends a mixed message to youth. They argue that sending such a message will make children believe it is permissible to use drugs. The second concern of those opposed to needle exchange programs is the view that allowing needle exchange programs would increase the number of discarded syringes in the area and crime. Such opponents have been vociferous and politically successful. In half of the states in America, there are strong barriers in place that prevent exchanges of needles or over-the-counte
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Approximate Word count = 2531
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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